Bradford County, Florida

Bradford County was created on December 21, 1858 from Columbia County(originally named New River County Name until December 6, 1861). This county was named for Richard Bradford, the first officer from Florida to die in the Civil War; he was killed during the Battle of Santa Rosa Island.

Incorporated Cities and Towns located in Bradford County include Hampton, Lawtey, Starke Brooker.

Bradford County vital records can be found at the Florida Office of Vital Records which has copies of Birth & Deaths reported 1917 to present and Divorce & Marriages since June 6, 1927. There is a fee for each copy requested. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in Florida for current fees and application process.

Bradford County consists of Federal Census Schedules to guide in looking into your family tree. Federal Population Schedules can be found for 1860, 1870, 1880(free index), 1890(fragment), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940.

Bradford County Courthouse and Government Records

Bradford County Courthouse

Researchers often fail to notice the importance of Bradford County court, probate, and land documents as a source of family history and genealogy information and facts. Hidden away in Florida courthouses and archives everywhere tend to be the desires and worries of the many Florida residents.

Old Bradford County Courthouse

The chances are great that your chosen ancestors have left a detailed record of at least a number of factors of their lives in the Bradford County court records. Even if your forefathers is not referred to in a Court case, take into consideration all of the other methods which could have lead to her or him to appear in court records.

The below facts shows what death, marriage, birth, land, wills, and legal records are usually in Bradford County. The dates stated listed below are considered the first noted records in this county. The original Lake Butler courthouse was burned in 1865, reportedly to destroy a murder indictment along with all other county records. A second courthouse burned in 1875

Make sure you call the clerk's department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other details before visiting or inquiring about information because of in some cases changing contact details. The Department Offices DO NOT DO RESEARCH. The records are available to interested parties, barring confidential issues. A lot of employees will assist individuals in obtaining the materials, but it is up to the person to undertake the researching.

Bradford County Tax Collector collects all real estate taxes including postponed and delinquent, all county revenues in addition to the research and issue tax deed applications. Our department is the holder of tax records and assessed values.

Bradford County Health Department has copies of Birth & Death certificates. Also has computer access from 1917 to present for birth records for the entire state as well as births that occurred in this county.

Bradford County Links

The following are links to Family history and genealogy, Records and Resources relevant to Bradford County. A lot of these genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Business oriented Sites, Private Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some require a fee. This is just a directory which has been collected or submitted. I do not endorse or promote one genealogy site over another. Feel free to submit your own preferred Bradford County genealogy or family history affiliated sites.

Bradford Co. FL Books, Newspapers & Publications

Historical Newspapers from Florida (1823 - 1959)(genealogybank.com) Immediately identify names and keywords and phrases in over 450 million content articles, obituaries, marriage notices, birth announcements as well as other items published in over 2,800 old U.S. newspapers. New content added on a monthly basis!

Bradford Co. FL Military Records

Florida Military Records(fold3.com) will provide easy access to military records, stories, photos, and personal documents belonging to the Florida women and men which served. Suitable for Bradford County genealogists, researchers, historians plus much more.